These gluten-free Mini Pecan Pies are a bite-sized version of pecan pie. And oh, yes, they are every bit as irresistible and as delicious as you can imagine!
These mini Pecan Pies can technically be considered mini muffins and I’m celebrating them today because it’s National Muffin Day, February 20. For future reference, Pecan Pie Day is celebrated on July 12. But there’s absolutely no bad time for pecan pie, am I right? Of course, I am!
In addition to the bite-sized factor—because bite-sized is always nice in my opinion—why minis instead of regular-sized individual pecan pies? With the mini version you not only get the flat top that makes them look just like pecan pie but you also get a higher ratio of the perfectly caramelized outside to the delightful yummy inside than you would if you made the larger-size muffins.
While I and so many gfe readers love my Crustless Pecan Pie, as you all know I also love muffins. Every day. Not just on Muffin Day. As evidenced by the multitude of delicious muffin recipes on gfe, including all those shared in March Muffin Madness events over the years. So, Mini Pecan Pies, aka Pecan Pie Mini Muffins, seem like an obvious gfe creation, right?
Honestly, I first made these Mini Pecan Pies eons ago—before I went gluten free in 2003. That gluten-full recipe (and lots of slight variations) is all over the interwebs.
The version I’m sharing today is simply a gluten-free version created by subbing in my Two-Ingredient Gluten-Free Flour Mix for the gluten-full all-purpose flour.
That’s the only ingredient change but my version also comes with a shorter baking time because oddly, the baking time for most gluten-full versions shared online is way too long. When I initially made these treats, I did not question the baking time and they turned out both hard as a rock and next to impossible to remove from the muffin tin.
I had not thought of these Mini Pecan Pies again until recently when I came across the recipe when going through one of my recipe boxes. (Side note: Don’t throw away those gluten-full recipes! Most can be converted to gluten-free versions.) I instantly wanted gluten-free Mini Pecan Pies so, as soon as I had pecans on hand, I made a batch.
Oh, how I loved them! I shared them with my mom who also loved them.
When I spoke to her a day later, I asked if she had any Mini Pecan Pie Muffins left. She blurted out “No.” as if she was surprised that I was asking such a ridiculous question.
Haha. She’s not wrong. These Mini Pecan Pies are irresistible. One almost immediately leads to another.
A few days after the first batch, I made another batch. Because I wanted more of these delicious gluten-free Mini Pecan Pies and also because I wanted to ensure that I could make them without them sticking to the muffin liners.
The first time they had stuck more than I liked. Once they were completely cooled, the liners could be removed fairly easily but in doing so the Mini Pecan Pies crumbled some.
Fill muffin liners almost full when making these gluten-free Mini Pecan Pies.
I wanted to avoid any crumbling. So, the second time around, I sprayed some of the liners with olive oil spray (you could also use coconut oil spray or Pam) and for the remainder, I used If You Care Mini Unbleached Baking Cups.
Spraying the muffin liners with olive oil spray and using the If You Care muffin liners both worked fine but I prefer using the liners to having to spray over 24 muffin liners.
I had heard about If You Care muffin/cupcake liners over the years and always read that they worked very well but the liners I’d used worked well enough. Until now.
The description of the If You Care Unbleached Baking Cups says “No greasing needed.” That description is spot on. The liners peel away from the muffins easily. They were perfect for these Mini Pecan Pies. Honestly, I’m amazed at how easily they come out of these muffin/cupcake liners.
If You Care makes non-stick unbleached baking cups for regular-sized muffins and jumbo muffins, as well as parchment paper and many more products.
I ordered mine from Amazon but I understand you can get them at a much lower price at local stores, including discount stores. You can also order them at a reasonable price from If You Care’s own website. I am not affiliated with If You Care but I will probably order directly from them the next time I wish to stock up.
Finally, no xanthan gum is needed for this recipe. However, if your gluten-free flour mix includes it, your results should still be fine. Now go bake some gluten-free Mini Pecan Pies because everyone deserves a little pecan pie. Pun intended!
More Gluten-Free Mini Muffin and Tassie Recipes
~ Chocolate Chip Pumpkin and Ginger Muffins
~ Muffins That Taste Like Donuts
~ Powdered Sugar Donut Muffins
Gluten-Free Mini Pecan Pies Recipe
These irresistible bite-sized pecan pie treats disappear quickly! <ol><li>Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line muffin tins with liners <em>and</em> spray liners with olive oil spray or similar if you are not using non-stick liners such as If You Care brand.</li><li>In a large mixing bowl, add melted butter. (I actually add the butter to my large microwave-proof bowl and then place it in the microwave about 30 seconds or so to melt the butter.)</li><li>Stir in brown sugar. Stir in eggs.</li><li>Add gluten-free flour mix and pecans, mixing until ingredients are just incorporated.</li><li>Spoon batter into liners until almost full.</li><li>Bake about 15 to 17 minutes, testing for doneness using a toothpick.</li><li>Cool completely.</li></ol>Gluten-Free Mini Pecan Pies
Ingredients
Instructions
Cindy says
These sound so good! I think I will make them today. Thanks for the recipe Shirley!
Shirley Braden says
You’re welcome, Cindy! 🙂 I hope you love these mini muffins as much as we do! As soon as I get some more pecans, I’m making them again. 😉
Have a great week!
Shirley
Frances Butler says
Can you use almond flour?
Shirley Braden says
Hi Frances–I replied to your question on Facebook. My answer: “I’m not sure. I have not tried that. I suspect a combination of almond flour and a tiny amount of coconut flour or almond flour and tapioca flour would work better. If you try almond flour alone or one of those combos, please let us know your results.” Fingers crossed!
Shirley
Cheryle says
No salt? Or was there salt in your butter? What about vanilla and just surprised at the minimal ingredients I’m not complaining it sounds awesome I’m definitely going to try this recipe
Shirley Braden says
Hi Cheryle–Welcome to gfe! 🙂 I did use salted butter but I’m not sure it would make a difference if I had used unsalted butter. Perhaps add a tiny pinch of salt if using unsalted butter? And no vanilla is needed. Yes, this is a very simple recipe!
Enjoy!
Shirley
Phyllis Troyer says
Loved these muffins. Have also made a few times as bars. Trying to get bake time correct for them to be baked just right
Shirley Braden says
Hi, Phyllis–So glad you enjoy this recipe! 🙂 I’ve not tried it in bar form but I like the idea. Baking times can sometimes be tricky. Please report back if you figure the best baking time out and I’ll do the same if I ever bake this recipe as bars.
Happy holidays!
Shirley